Kubota Corp. Opens New Plant In Ga.

ATLANTA (AP) -- A Japanese tractor and garden equipment company has opened a new $73 million manufacturing plant in north Georgia.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal Monday announced the grand opening of the new Kubota Corp. plant in Jefferson — about 20 miles northwest of Athens. Deal says the 522,000 square-foot plant has brought 200 jobs to the city. Officials say the plant will produce Kubota's 30 to 50-horesepower compact tractor models.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Kubota Industrial Equipment President Henry Kubota said the firm was considering an expansion to the 88-acre site. Deal said the site is designed for a possible expansion.

Officials say the Osaka-based company first began doing business in Georgia about 40 years ago and employs more than 1,700 people in the state.